A ministry statement said the three were arrested Friday in the northeastern city of Lleida where they lived together. The ministry said they worked intensively to upload and disseminate videos praising Islamic State armed group executions, suicide attacks, Sharia and criticizing Shiites. They also spread propaganda in favor of the Taliban and Pakistani extremist groups.

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It said the three men, aged between 25 and 31, had gathered a large group of followers in their efforts to spread jihadist ideology in Spain.

Spanish police have arrested dozens of suspected pro-jihad activists in recent years.